Camp Olowalu

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Camp Olowalu – (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED, tent camping, tentalows, Camper/RV parking, cabins)

Located along the shoreline at the base of the stunning West Maui Mountains on the West Side just south of Lahaina. Camp Olowalu currently offers four affordable camping experiences: 35 campsites, 21 Tentalows, car/camper parking, or with a group in their 6 cabins. Enjoy seasonal whale watching, snorkeling, and kayaking right off this beautiful beachfront property.

Phone: (808) 661-4303

Keanae Uka

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Formerly ‘YMCA Camp Keanae’, a local conservation group has taken over stewardship of this land. This is a beautiful property with bathrooms and showers on the Keanae Peninsula about halfway to Hana. https://www.keanaeuka.com/
Address: 13375 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708

Phone: (808) 270-7230

Papalaua Wayside Park

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Papalaua Wayside Park – (PERMITS REQUIRED, tent camping)

Closed every Tuesday and Wednesday. Beachfront camping south of Lahaina or first beach on left after tunnel driving northwest towards Lahaina. Only a few yards of sand separates you from surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Camp on the sand, or park your camper only slightly removed from the beach. Camping fees must be paid in person with cash or money order at the time of reservation. Although their site does not mention it, if you call the office they now say that camper vehicles are not allowed. Weird!

Address for Permits: Dept of Parks and Recreation, 700 Halia Nakoa St., Unit 2, Wailuku, HI 96793

Address: Mile 11/12, Honoapiilani Highway

Phone: (808) 270-7230

Waianapanapa (Black Sand Beach)

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Waianapanapa State Park/Black Sand Beach – (PERMITS REQUIRED in Advance, Camper/RV parking, cabin and tent camping)

Remote, wild, low-cliffed volcanic coastline offering solitude and respite from urban life. Lodging, camping, picnicking, shore fishing and hardy family hiking along an ancient Hawaiian coastal trail which leads to Hana. Excellent opportunity to view a seabird colony and anchialine pools. Other features include native hala forest, legendary cave, heiau (religious temple), natural stone arch, sea stacks, blow holes and small black sand beach.

Phone: (808) 984-8109

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area

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Polipoli Spring – (PERMITS REQUIRED in Advance, Campgrounds/Cabin)

Located in Kula, the road starts above the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. Camping and lodging (one cabin) within the fog belt of the Kula Forest Reserve at 6,200 foot elevation. Extensive trail system in the forest reserve, including through a forest reminiscent of the conifer forests of the Pacifc Northwest coast. Sweeping views of Central and West Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Molokaʻi and Lanaʻi in clear weather. Pig and seasonal bird hunting. Nights are generally cold; winter nights frequently have below freezing temperatures.

Phone: (808) 984-8109

Hosmer Grove – Haleakala National Park

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Hosmer Grove – (Reservations Required, RV/camper parking, tent camping) 

Hosmer Grove lies in the cloud belt of Haleakalā, just below the 7,000-foot level (2134m) in the summit area. Be prepared for rain and cold weather. Nighttime temperatures can drop into the to near freezing (0 C); daytime highs average 50-65 F (10-18 C). The campground has picnic tables, BBQ grills, drinking water, and pit toilets. Sites are close together in an open, grassy area near the forest and shrubland of Hosmer Grove. A self-guided nature trail begins and ends at the campground. The forest comes to life in the early dawn with the many native birds in the area, making this a beautiful early morning hike.

Kipahulu, Hana – Haleakala National Park

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Kipahulu District – (Reservations Required, RV/camper parking, tent camping) 

9.5 miles past Hana Town on the Hana Highway, located at the ‘Seven Sacred Pools’ or ʻOheʻo Gulch. It overlooks ocean cliffs and is a short walk from ʻOheʻo. In the evenings, the sound of the ocean waves makes this a peaceful place. The campground has picnic tables, BBQ grills, and pit toilets. No water is available at Kīpahulu Campground; However, drinking water is available at the nearby Kīpahulu Visitor Center restrooms which is a short walk/drive to the other end of the property. Kipahulu offers daytime activities of swimming in the Seven Sacred Pools, and hiking the Pipiwai Trail. The 4 mile (round-trip) trail passes beautiful views, pools, two waterfalls (200 ft Makahiku Falls and 400 ft Waimoku Falls), jungle, and a dense-but enchanting bamboo forest. While camping be prepared for rain throughout the night and mosquitoes.

Haleakala National Park

Cabins and Tent Camping

Palikū, Kapalaoa, and Hōlua – wilderness camping/cabins (Cabin reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance at 10 AM EST. Reservations are made using Reserve America’s website at www.recreation.gov. Reserve America’s call center phone number is 1-877-444-6777/Tent camping space is available on a first-come, first-served basis)

Campsites

Tent Camping/Campsite permits can be obtained at the Headquarters Visitor Center between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM up to one day in advance. Hōlua and Palikū campsites have pit toilets and water available nearby. The water is non-potable and must be filtered or treated before drinking. In times of drought, all water must be carried in.

Hōlua Campsite

Hōlua, the Wilderness campsite reached by the shortest hike, lies at 6,940 feet (2,115m) in the shrubland near Ko`olau Gap. Hōlua is 3.7 miles (6km) down the Halemau`u Trail or 7.4 miles (12km) from the Sliding Sands Trailhead. Visitors staying at Hōlua can enjoy day hikes into the central Wilderness Area. The landscape around Hōlua supports a native shrubland which colonizes the lava flows. There is a short hike to a large lava tube nearby.

Palikū Campsite

At 6,380 feet (1,945m), Palikū is on the east end of the Wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. The campsite is reached via a strenuous 9.3 mile (15km) hike on the Sliding Sands Trail or 10.4 (17km) on Halemauʻu Trail. Exceptional views of the crater interior along the trail including cinder cones and silver swords among a Lunar/Martian landscape. Views of the Big Island can be seen on clear days through the Kaupo Gap. Clouds and fog often roll over the top of the cliffs behind Palikū, and rain is common. The extra moisture makes this spot exceptionally cool and lush. Some of the must EPIC views on Maui.

Cabins

The Wilderness cabins are accessible only by trail. To reach the cabins, you must hike a minimum of 3.7 miles (5.9km) to Hōlua, 5.5 miles (8.9km) to Kapalaoa, and 9.3 miles (15km) to Palikū. Hōlua, Kapalaoa, and Palikū cabins are rugged but historic cabins located in the wilderness designated area of Haleakala National Park. They have limited amenities such as pit toilets and water available near the cabin. The water is non-potable and must be filtered or treated before drinking. Each cabin has a wood-burning stove with limited firewood that must be conserved, cooking utensils, dishes, and 12 padded bunks. There is no electricity in the cabins.